Villa manager Nigel Reo-Coker has warned his team-mates they cannot allow self-doubt to creep in ahead their daunting trip to Anfield to play Liverpool.

Martin O’Neill’s men have lost their first two games to Wigan and Rapid Vienna, conceding three and scoring none.

Tonight brings their most difficult match to date, a trip to Anfield where they lost 5-0 last term.

But midfielder Reo-Coker, who skippered the side in Austria, insists the team must keep faith in their ability.

He said: “It’s very early days still. All we can do is keep working hard and stay positive, because things can change in football so quickly.

“We have to keep striving for the things we believe in. From my own personal experience, I have been through this before so it’s not really a big deal to me.

“You can’t let the negativity start spreading or begin to doubt your own ability.”

Reo-Coker believes Villa can take inspiration from Liverpool’s own start to the season.

The Reds, like Villa, were beaten on the opening weekend of the new season – losing 2-1 at Tottenham – only to bounce back with a 4-0 win over Stoke.

He added: “Liverpool lost their first game, then they went and beat Stoke 4-0, so why can’t we go out there and beat them at Anfield.

“It’s going to be a very interesting Premier League this year. Manchester United lost to Burnley the other day. Football is full of surprises.”

Reo-Coker insists last year’s thrashing at Anfield will count for nothing.

He said: “That was last year, this is the present. We have to believe in what we can achieve. Every game you play as a professional footballer nowadays is a tough game.”